Poaching, Trespass & TWRA Reporting — Tennessee
Dead Deer — Shot, Poached, or Missing Head
What Tennessee Property Owners Must Do When They Find a Deer That Was Killed by a Hunter or Poacher
Finding a dead deer on your property with a gunshot wound, arrow wound, or missing head is a different situation than finding a deer that died of disease or vehicle strike. It may involve a legal harvest, a trespass, or a poaching crime. In all three cases, your first call should be to TWRA — not to a removal service. This page explains the rules, your obligations, and what happens next.
Shot or headless deer? Do not move it. Call TWRA at 1-800-332-0900 before touching the carcass — it may be a crime scene.
Three Scenarios — Three Different Responses
Shot deer — hunter may have permission
A deer with a gunshot or arrow wound on your property may be a legally harvested deer that a hunter was unable to recover, or a deer that crossed onto your property after being shot on adjacent land. Tennessee law allows a hunter to pursue a wounded deer onto neighboring property with the landowner's permission. If you find a freshly shot deer and suspect a hunter may be looking for it, contact TWRA before moving it.
Shot deer — no permission, possible trespass
If you did not give anyone permission to hunt your property and find a shot deer, this may be a trespass or poaching situation. Do not move the carcass. The location, condition, and any evidence around the deer may be relevant to a TWRA investigation. Disturbing the scene before TWRA arrives can compromise an investigation.
Missing head — likely poaching
A deer carcass with the head removed and the body left on your property is a strong indicator of poaching. Poachers who target trophy antlers often remove only the head and leave the rest of the carcass. This is a crime under Tennessee law — wanton waste of a game animal is a Class A misdemeanor, and poaching carries additional penalties. TWRA takes these reports seriously.
Contact TWRA First
In all three scenarios above, TWRA is your first call. TWRA law enforcement officers investigate poaching, trespass hunting, and wanton waste violations. They can also authorize legal disposal of a carcass that cannot be recovered by a hunter. Do not move a shot or headless deer before contacting TWRA — you could inadvertently destroy evidence or create legal complications for yourself.
TWRA wildlife violations hotline (24-hour)
1-800-332-0900
Report poaching, trespass hunting, wanton waste, and request carcass disposal authorization
TWRA Operation Deer Watch
1-800-831-1174
Anonymous tip line for poaching and wildlife violations — rewards available
Middle Tennessee TWRA Region 2
Nashville regional office
For follow-up on active investigations in Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Sumner, and Maury counties
Tennessee Law — What You Need to Know
Wanton waste is a crime
Tennessee Code Annotated T.C.A. § 70-4-106 prohibits the wanton waste of game animals. Killing a deer and leaving the edible portions to rot — including removing only the head for antlers — is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months 29 days in jail and a $2,500 fine, plus civil restitution to the state for the value of the animal.
Trespass hunting is a separate offense
Hunting on private property without the landowner's permission is a criminal trespass under T.C.A. § 39-14-405 and a hunting violation under T.C.A. § 70-4-106. TWRA officers can issue citations and make arrests for trespass hunting. As a landowner, you have the right to post your property and press charges.
You cannot keep an untagged deer
Even if a deer dies on your property, you cannot legally keep the carcass, antlers, or meat without TWRA authorization. Possession of an untagged deer is a violation of Tennessee hunting regulations. Contact TWRA for a salvage permit or disposal authorization.
Landowner permission for deer recovery
Under T.C.A. § 70-4-106, a hunter who wounds a deer may pursue it onto neighboring property only with the landowner's explicit permission. A hunter who enters your property without permission to recover a deer — even a legally harvested one — is trespassing. You are not required to grant permission.
Reporting is not required but is encouraged
Tennessee law does not require a landowner to report a dead deer on their property. However, reporting a shot or headless deer to TWRA is strongly encouraged. It helps TWRA track poaching activity, build cases against repeat offenders, and protect your local deer herd.
If You Suspect Poaching — Preserve the Scene
Do not move the carcass or disturb the area around it before TWRA arrives.
Photograph the carcass, the wound location, and the surrounding area from multiple angles.
Note the date, time, and exact location — GPS coordinates if possible.
Note any tire tracks, boot prints, or other signs of entry on your property.
Do not post about it on social media before TWRA has responded — it can alert suspects.
If you have trail cameras, do not delete footage. Provide it to TWRA when they arrive.
Trail camera footage is some of the best evidence in poaching cases. Do not delete it.
After TWRA Clears the Scene — We Handle Removal
Once TWRA has responded, documented the scene, and authorized disposal, the carcass still needs to be removed and legally disposed of. A shot deer decomposes the same as any deer carcass — it attracts scavengers, creates odor, and poses the same health and property hazards. We provide TWRA-permitted removal and disposal across Middle Tennessee. Call us after TWRA clears the scene.
Same-day service available
Once TWRA has cleared the scene, we can typically respond the same day. A decomposing carcass should not sit longer than necessary.
TWRA-permitted disposal
All carcass disposal is conducted in compliance with Tennessee regulations. We handle the paperwork and disposal — you do not need to arrange anything beyond the call.
Site cleanup included
Decomposition fluids, blood, and tissue are treated with enzyme-based cleaners. We leave the site clean and odor-treated.
We work with your timeline
If TWRA needs additional time at the scene, we can schedule around their investigation. We are familiar with the TWRA process and can coordinate as needed.
Common Questions
A hunter knocked on my door and said he shot a deer that ran onto my property. What do I do?
You are not required to let the hunter onto your property. If you choose to allow access, you can accompany them. If you are uncomfortable or the hunter is aggressive, call TWRA at 1-800-332-0900. TWRA can mediate the situation and advise on the hunter's rights and yours. The hunter cannot legally enter your property without your permission, even to recover a deer they shot on adjacent land.
Can I keep the antlers from a deer I found shot on my property?
No — not without TWRA authorization. Possession of antlers from an untagged deer is a violation of Tennessee hunting regulations regardless of how the deer died or where it was found. Contact TWRA for a salvage permit. TWRA may authorize you to keep the antlers, or they may take possession as evidence if poaching is suspected.
I found a deer with its head cut off. Is this definitely poaching?
A headless deer carcass is a strong indicator of poaching — specifically, a trophy poacher who wanted the antlers and left the body. It is also possible the head was removed by a hunter who had permission but failed to tag the deer properly, or by a scavenger in rare cases. TWRA will investigate and determine the cause. Call 1-800-332-0900 and treat it as a potential crime scene until TWRA advises otherwise.
How long will TWRA take to respond?
Response time depends on officer availability and the nature of the report. Active poaching scenes with fresh evidence typically receive faster response. If TWRA cannot respond immediately, they will advise you on how to preserve the scene. For a carcass that has been there for days with no fresh evidence, TWRA may authorize disposal by phone without an on-site visit.
What if I already moved the deer before I knew I should call TWRA?
Call TWRA anyway and explain what happened. Accidentally disturbing a scene before knowing it was a potential crime is understandable. TWRA officers deal with this regularly. Provide as much information as you can — photos, location, condition of the carcass — and let TWRA advise on next steps.
Can I call you before TWRA if I just want the deer gone?
We strongly recommend calling TWRA first for any shot or headless deer. Moving a carcass before TWRA authorization could create legal complications for you and destroy evidence of a crime. Once TWRA has cleared the scene, call us and we will handle removal promptly. The extra step of calling TWRA first protects you legally and helps hold poachers accountable.
Call TWRA First. Then Call Us.
Shot deer, headless deer, or suspected poaching — TWRA is your first call. Once the scene is cleared, we handle removal and disposal across Middle Tennessee.
Anonymous poaching tips: 1-800-831-1174